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| J. Godwin |
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Results from the Aruba Caribbean Cup: October 20-24, 2011
The staff, observers and some anglers stayed at the Aruba Renaissance Hotel and Casino .
There were 19 boats all fishing out of Varadero Marina. There were a few American boats, some from Curacao but most were local boats.
There were 70 billfish released including 35 blue marlin, 16 white marlin and 19 sailfish.
The top teams/boats were:
Southern Pride/PAPUCHO 2300 pts
Priority/DRIFTWOOD 1900 pts
PRIME TIME 1800 pts
First place angler--Anthony Pinzon/DRIFTWOOD 1500 pts
Second place angler--Rob Belcher/ PRIME TIME 1000 pts
Third place angler--Jeff Stinglel/EXILE 900 pts
Rules: Marlin, either blue or white, 300 points, sails 100 points, IGFA, 30 # line, non offset circle hooks, all lines are pulled from the water immediately when the first billfish is hooked, 4 teasers (dredges allowed), all lines in the water at all times, i.e. may not hold one out for a pitch, no fence.
All boats I was on used about the same equipment and tactics. Most had two dredges, two squid chains followed by a baited chugger (Ilander express, Moldcraft widerange or super chugger). 6-61/2' sticks and Shimano Tyrnos 30 reels--I did see a few Torsas on boats. All flat lines were twisted in the clips but most riggers were not. I always manage to see a few things different on these trips and this one was no exception.
One boat was using a double striptease--I had seen many singles but never a double. I had used "O" rings instead of swivels to rig naked ballyhoo during this summer an a limited basis--mainly because I could not get a reliable supply of the correct size--but one boat used them exclusively with great effect. One advantage I noticed very early is the bait does not get fouled in the hook as readily as swivel rigged baits. As most of you know, rough water is a significant contributor to the hook/bait foul phenomenon.
The one thing that I had not seen before but had read about is the mud flap. This is a 1/4" to 5/16" thick piece of black rubber cut to resemble a small YFT, albacore or skippy pulled behind an express and attached to a squid chain. I know this sounds weird but it works--a blue marlin attacked it full speed.
The boat caught the marlin when it later hit a medium hoo on a small chugger. A picture of the mud flap is attached--laying on the port deck of the cockpit - See Photo Gallery.
Although it rained every day it did not rain all day any day. Day 1 & 3 we had a monsoon for about an hour each afternoon, day 2 it rained some off and on. Calm seas for the most part, 2-4', light winds, 85 degree blue clear water, deep water to 1200'-1600' for most boats. The afternoon of the second day was a bear, 5'-6' at very close interval, 15-18 knot winds and lots of whitecaps. Nearly all boats fished on the north end of the island but a few ventured to the west and south.
Day 1: PRIME TIME--Captained by the legendary Butch Cox. 58' Paul Mann--just repowered. Riding along with us today was the world renowned photographer Richard Gibson (you've seen his photos on many fishing magazine covers). Also with us this day is Miss Aruba 2006--photo attached. This was the hot boat for the day. They missed a few but ended up with 3 blue, 2 white and a sail for the days best boat and a grand slam. I took another photo of Miss Aruba for Mikey.
Day 2: HEY CHAMA (Hey Baby in english)--This boat is home ported in Curacao. 65" Bayliss. Sparky, it does not get much better than this. The crew missed three very aggressive blues that ate the bait off four teasers. A great ride back to the marina even with high winds and 6-8' seas--never slowed down.
Day 3: TARA--Captained this day by Jimmy Grant, the long time captain of the WATERMAN, now in Aruba but for many years fishing out of Venezuela. 46' Hatteras. Slow day for everyone--one white marlin late in the afternoon.
All the best,
Buena suerte,
J
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